Must-Reads

Cuisine: A steakhouse in name, a French restaurant in sensibility—with Gruyère popovers, a satiny chicken-liver pâté, and a gorgeous souffléed crepe stealing the show from the big cuts of beef at this suave New York import.

Mood: Law- and real-estate-firm partners, ladies with expensive highlights, and other polished patrons hold court at this expense-account den while bright young things crowd the marble bar. But the place never feels stiff, thanks in part to the loud strains of Johnny Cash and the Clash.

Best for: Impressing a client or giving yourself over to a night of indulgences.

Insider tips: The Kobe steak is the real deal from Japan—$130 for five ounces—and it goes down like silk. The bargain on the menu? The terrific $24 hanger steak. And although the raw bar looks stunning, lately its offerings have been disappointing—flavorless Jonah crab and jumbo shrimp, poorly shucked oysters and littlenecks.